Rolex
oyster perpetual airking precision - vanilla dial

Rolex Air-King Precision ref. 14000 with vanilla dial, dated 1994. A 34 mm case with smooth bezel, screw-down crown and caseback, fitted with a 904L stainless steel bracelet (ref. 78350) known for its hypoallergenic properties, completed by an adjustable folding clasp.

This vintage collector's watch with classic lines has been produced since 1989. It was the first Air-King Precision to feature a sapphire crystal and also houses a high-end movement typically reserved for higher-end Rolex models (such as the Rolex Submariner 14060 or the Rolex Explorer 114270).

This movement is the Rolex in-house caliber 3000 with 27 jewels. A bidirectional automatic-winding caliber manufactured by Rolex since 1977, it features a variable-inertia balance wheel made of Glucydur — an alloy with excellent corrosion resistance, low thermal expansion, and antimagnetic properties. The balance wheel is fitted with paired Microstella gold screws, forming, with the oscillator, the heart of the timekeeping regulation system. The movement also benefits from a KIF shock absorber, a shock protection device commonly used by Rolex in this generation of movements.

The Rolex 3000 caliber also includes a flat hairspring attached to the balance bridge, helping improve timekeeping stability. The balance bridge allows for precise adjustment of the balance’s amplitude and helps position the oscillator for optimal performance. When correctly adjusted, the oscillator contributes to high-precision chronometry.

This assembly operates at a high frequency (8 beats per second or 28,800 vibrations per hour), ensuring precise time sequencing and optimal operational stability. As such, the caliber 3130 benefits from an oscillator combining the two key pillars of a quality movement: precision and reliability. The Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) certifies this performance with an accuracy of +4/-6 seconds per day, attesting to Rolex’s expert design choices.

The Perpetual rotor, invented by Rolex in 1931, has a half-moon shape and rotates freely around its central axis according to wrist movement. It enables perpetual winding of the mainspring, which is the source of energy driving the movement's components. This mechanism is essential for keeping the watch running without manual winding. After a full wind, the caliber 3000 provides a 42-hour power reserve. This notable autonomy is due to the mainspring’s ability to store and release energy consistently thanks to the high-quality materials and components. A constant, self-renewing energy source — powered by the user's movement — is transmitted via the red reversing wheels typical of this so-called “Perpetual” movement. The term “Oyster” denotes the model’s water resistance of 100 meters.

More details about watch brands and the history of their models can be found on our "watch history" page in the Mostra Mag section, accessible from the Mostra Store homepage.

Discover our pre-owned Rolex Oyster Perpetual